Chloe Williams. @AIGWomensOpen

Twelve players came through Final Qualifying at Hankley Common to secure their place in the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath later this week.

Wales’ Chloe Williams was the leading qualifier after an impressive five-under-par 67 at the Surrey venue, helped by an eagle at the par-5 13th. Williams finished a stroke ahead of French player Emma Grechi and Gina Kim from the United States of America, who will both make their debuts in the AIG Women’s Open. Irish amateur Anna Foster also progressed in a four-player group at three-under-par.

“I’ve been here a couple of times so I know the golf course and I’m very familiar with it,” said Williams. “It was a really, really good day. A couple of breaks went my way, which you need on a day like this as it’s like a shoot-out and anything can happen. I just knew I was hitting the ball well and I stayed patient and took my chances. I played in the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie in 2021 and hopefully that experience helps me. There is nothing like having the big grandstands around, it’s amazing.”

Grechi added: “The conditions were just ideal, not too hot or cold, no wind and the greens were just perfect speed. I didn’t hole many putts on the front nine and was a bit frustrated, but I just tried to be patient and I did well on the back nine so I’m really happy. I made eagle on the last, a 3-wood to two metres, so that was just a bonus. I’ve not played in a major before so I’m really, really happy. It’s crazy.”

Late in the day, four players — Mi Hyang Lee, Hayley Davis, Kelsey Bennett and World Amateur Golf Ranking No. 1 Ingrid Lindblad  — came through a 13-way sudden-death play-off, after they had all finished at two-under-par.

Savannah De Bock booked the final spot in a Tuesday win over Canada’s Maddie Szeryk.

Final Qualifiers
Chloe Williams, Wales
Emma Grechi, France
Gina Kim, USA
Anna Foster, Ireland  *amateur
Kylie Henry, Scotland
Daniela Darquea, Ecuador
Wie-ling Hsu, Chinese Taipei
Mi Hyang Lee, Korea
Hayley Davis, England
Ingrid Lindblad, Sweden *amateur
Kelsey Bennett, Australia
Savannah De Bock